CAREER OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

CAREER OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

THE UNIVERSITY Overview Mercyhurst University is a fully accredited, Catholic, comprehensive institution founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy. With campuses in Erie and North East, Pennsylvania, and satellite locations in downtown Erie and Corry, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst is an academic community of nearly 4,000 students and 556 dedicated faculty, administrators and staff. The university educates students for purposeful lives and careers through academic programs of national and international distinction, unique cultural, extra-curricular and athletic programs, and opportunities for service. In keeping with its liberal arts heritage, Mercyhurst emphasizes the dignity of each person and is committed to an examination of values as well as to quality academic, professional and career training, all within a climate of inquiry, collegiality, diversity and achievement. Vision Mercyhurst aspires to be a leading higher educational institution that integrates excellence in the liberal arts, professional and career-path programs and service to regional and world communities. Mission Statement Consistent with its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, Mercyhurst University educates women and men in a culture where faith and reason flourish together, where the beauty and power of the liberal arts combine with an appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others. Confident in the strength of its student faculty bonds, the university community is inspired by the image of students whose choices, in life and work, will enable them to realize the human and spiritual values embedded in everyday realities and to exercise leadership in service toward a just world.

The Erie Campus From its farmland origins on the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie to Mercyhurst s modern campus in Erie, the university has undergone dynamic change since its founding in 1926. Today Mercyhurst is the largest piece of unbroken real estate in Erie, encompassing more than 80 buildings on 127 acres. More importantly, Mercyhurst has emerged as a major force in the educational landscape of the region. The university began as Mercyhurst College, a residential institution for women founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Catholic Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia Egan, first president of Mercyhurst. In 1969, a strong movement toward diversity and co-education resulted in the Mercyhurst Board of Trustees voting to admit men to the college. The coeducational Erie campus grew and flourished in meeting the higher educational needs of the region, while building signature academic programs of international acclaim. In recent years, Mercyhurst has emerged as one of the leading regional universities in the North and continues to achieve top-tier recognition in U.S. News & World Report s annual college rankings. The North East Campus In 1991, Mercyhurst purchased the 100-year-old Redemptorist Seminary and its 84-acre grounds in North East, Pennsylvania, to create a second campus, which serves as the principal home of the university s mission-driven opportunity and career college. Mercyhurst North East caters to adult learners and non-traditional students as well as high school graduates seeking primarily one-year certificates and twoyear associate degrees. Located in the heart of downtown North East, a 25-minute drive from the Erie campus, this two-year branch campus focuses on professional programs in allied health and nursing, culinary and hospitality, and public health and safety, and also provides municipal police training for northwestern Pennsylvania. At the North East campus, as well as at Mercyhurst s satellite locations in Corry and downtown Erie, the mission and values of the university are focused on serving the underserved by providing students with greater access to unique academic offerings and by educating students in fields that provide direct service to others. This breadth gives Mercyhurst the ability to educate, build cross-disciplinary academic opportunities and address complex issues. STUDENT LIFE Consistent with the Mercy tradition of honoring the whole person, Mercyhurst provides its students with an environment that supports their intellectual, spiritual and social development. The university offers meaningful opportunities for student engagement in service, work, study abroad, extracurricular activities and non-academic experiences. With hospitality central to the university s Mercy Mission, Mercyhurst fosters a campus culture that insists on respect for all people and recognizes that diversity is nearly limitless in scope, welcoming people of different faiths, ethnicities, cultural traditions, sexual and gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Among the university s nearly 4,000 students, 13 percent identify as nonwhite. The university currently enrolls international students from 54 countries. According to U.S. News & World Report s 2015 rankings of America s Best Colleges, Mercyhurst tied for 11th among the more than 180 colleges and universities in its region for Most International Students. Mercyhurst continues to invest in the student on-campus residential experience. Warde Hall, a 300-bed freshman residence hall, is recognized as one of the most well-equipped freshman residences in the region. Such an approach supports first-year students in the transition to university life while promoting academic and social growth. A new $25 million suite-style sophomore residence hall is slated to open in Fall 2018, further enhancing on-campus life for students. The university is also dedicated to improving existing facilities, renovating dining facilities, expanding food service options, creating dedicated student spaces, and offering innovative programming. In addition, Mercyhurst maintains some of the most sophisticated science and research laboratories in the country, and its cultural hub the Mary D Angelo Performing Arts Center is both a professional performance setting and a lab for students to learn everything from arts programming to mainstage production. mercyhurst.edu hurstathletics.com

M E R C Y H U R S T AT H L E T I C S Mercyhurst s Erie campus supports 24 varsity athletic teams (12 male and 12 female), with the Lakers competing at the NCAA Division I and II levels. Additionally, nine varsity sports are offered at Mercyhurst North East, where the Saints compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association. With more than 600 students participating in intercollegiate athletics on the Erie campus, student-athletes account for 26 percent of traditional undergraduate enrollment. Ninety-three percent of Mercyhurst s student-athletes cite intercollegiate athletics as a top factor in selecting the university and 88 percent of the student-athletes graduate, a figure that is one of the highest rates among Division II institutions. Mercyhurst University has finished in the nation s top 25 of the Learfield Sports/NACDA Directors Cup standings in each of the last three years. National championships in women s rowing, men s lacrosse and wrestling, along with several national runners-up and numerous regional championship appearances, conference championships and individual accolades for student-athletes have cemented Mercyhurst as a formidable foe in competition. The Lakers also have played host to a variety of postseason championships, including the 2011 Women s Frozen Four, and will serve as host for high-profile athletic events such as the 2018 Ice Breaker Tournament and the 2021 Women s Frozen Four.

POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Athletics (AD) coordinates and manages all athletic functions on both the main Erie campus of the university and the North East campus. The AD reports directly to the Vice President for Student Life and has frequent access to the President. The AD provides visionary leadership, strategic planning, and policy development for the Athletics and Recreation Department. The AD creates and maintains a competitive intercollegiate athletic program within an academically rigorous environment that emphasizes academic success, retention and graduation. The AD ensures that the athletic program remains committed to the university s mission and strategic priorities and creates a positive culture that promotes sportsmanship, ethical conduct, inclusion and a culture of compliance. The AD manages all employees, coaches and volunteers within the Department; supervises utilization of all athletic facilities; raises funds for the athletic program in coordination with the development office; maximizes visibility for the athletic program through effective public relations and media relations efforts; maintains strong working relationships with other departments on campus and with the external community; and directs planning processes to respond to current and future program needs and ambitions. The AD represents Mercyhurst University and the Department in a positive manner with a high degree of integrity and quality. mercyhurst.edu hurstathletics.com

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Oversee the athletic operation and development of the varsity, club and intramural programs and all athletic facilities on the main campus in Erie. Oversee athletic programs, coaches and staff at Mercyhurst North East. Assist in formulating policies and procedures governing athletic programs. Ensure coaches and athletes comply with governing body regulations, which includes the certification of varsity teams. Oversee departmental administrative duties, including (but not limited to): insurance coverage; athletic training procedures; facility oversight and scheduling; team transportation; budget preparation and monitoring; conference alignments; and compliance. Review and recommend candidates for coaching and support staff positions (athletic training, sports information, bus drivers, etc.), and oversee training for coaches and other employees. Supervise department employees, in accordance with university policies and applicable laws. Ensure compliance with applicable national association and conference rules. Appraise performance, provide feedback, and give guidance for all athletic personnel. Plan, assign and direct departmental duties and responsibilities. Implement appropriate strategies and programs to maximize revenue through fundraising, corporate partnerships, facility rentals and ticket revenues. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein and as may be assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of principles of athletic administration; budgeting and personnel management; NCAA rules and regulations; Title IX compliance, gender equity and diversity. Strong leadership, management and team-building skills. Demonstrated commitment to execute strategic goals and mission with a university-first perspective and a customer-focused strategy. Ability to establish a clear and understandable vision for the Athletics and Recreation Department and build the operational components to execute the vision. Experience with directing, inspiring and motivating others, and measuring the performance and progress of people, teams and organizations. Ability to identify current and future challenges and propose and implement effective solutions. Successful negotiation and persuasion skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences both external and internal to Mercyhurst University. Strong external relations skills and the ability to build partnerships within the community and generate revenue. Commitment to promote student-athletes' personal development, high academic achievement, and full participation in all aspects of university life. Commitment to work closely with the Senior Women s Administrator to assure gender equity, affirmative action, and Title IX compliance; work to provide equal opportunities for all students to participate in intercollegiate athletics in accordance with university rules and state and federal laws. Proven ability and/or high interest in and aptitude for fundraising and donor development.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Sports Administration, Public Administration, Business or related field, plus six years of progressively responsible related work experience that includes a minimum of three years leading and/or supervising the work of others; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong commitment to the student-athlete concept and welfare. Strong external skills and a proven track record of revenue generation. APPLICATION PROCESS Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references to Mercyhurst University, Attn: Human Resources, 501 East 38 th Street, Erie, PA 16546 or via email in PDF format to hrinfo@mercyhurst.edu. Inquiries and questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Kurt Patberg, Senior Vice President of Athletics Staffing and Consultants, at kpatberg.asc@gmail.com. Review of the applications will begin on April 16, 2018, and will continue until the position is filled, with the understanding that the start date for the selected candidate is flexible. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT Mercyhurst does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, citizenship status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, familial status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic or because of any individual s legally protected activities. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Mercyhurst is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that encourages members of diverse groups to apply. mercyhurst.edu hurstathletics.com